Estimated read time: 4.5 minutes
We are thrilled to announce Dr. Helen Fox, Conservation Science Director at the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), as the new Steering Committee Chair for the Ocean Sewage Alliance (OSA). A founding member of OSA, Helen has served on the Steering Committee for the past four years, providing invaluable strategic direction.
"Having been there at the start of the OSA, it's incredibly exciting to now help steer its future,” said Fox. “This isn't just about committees; it's about catalyzing tangible action. I can't wait to get to work with this brilliant team to protect the ocean places I love."
Helen is a coral reef ecologist with over 20 years of experience working at the critical intersection of science and conservation. Her impressive career includes leadership roles at the National Geographic Society, where she led field engagement for the groundbreaking Allen Coral Atlas, and prior positions at WWF-US and Rare. A true pioneer, Helen has authored more than 40 scientific publications, logged over 1,000 dives, and even once lived underwater for 9 days in the Aquarius habitat.
At CORAL, science is at the heart of everything they do, and for the past five years, Helen has been instrumental in shaping their global conservation strategy. She is most proud of building a powerful team that integrates rigorous science into real-world, socially equitable solutions. Under her leadership, CORAL’s science has evolved to ask bigger, more interdisciplinary questions, focusing on practical tools for coral resilience and ensuring local communities directly benefit from conservation efforts. She is currently energized by the development of the "Roadmap to Reef Resilience," a climate-smart plan to strengthen networks of reefs and guide conservation strategies, including crucial work to reduce wastewater pollution.
Helen’s path to marine science was driven by curiosity and collaboration. It began with a life-changing gap year waitressing and learning to scuba dive on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, where she fell in love with corals, and made it her life's work to protect them. This passion led to a Fulbright award in Queensland and eventually a doctorate from UC Berkeley. We are incredibly fortunate to have her deep expertise, visionary leadership, and collaborative spirit guiding OSA’s mission.
"Helen has been a driving force behind OSA since its inception, and her transition to Chair ensures our strategy remains rooted in science and practical action,” said Jasmine Fournier, executive director. “She is the ideal leader to integrate the fantastic expertise of our five new Steering Committee members. This infusion of talent and leadership couldn't come at a more critical time, and it signals our commitment to building a robust coalition capable of eliminating sewage from the ocean."
Please join us in welcoming Helen to her new role, and keep reading as we introduce the five new members joining her on the Steering Committee.
FIDAN KARIMOVA
Senior Director, Circular Water Economy | Water Environment Federation
Fidan is the Senior Director of Circular Water Economy at the Water Environment Federation, where she focuses on scaling circular solutions fostergin innovation, and aligning cross-sector collaboration to address global water challenges. A lifelong ocean enthusiast and certified scuba diver, Fidan brings a deep personal commitment to protecting marine environments.
She champions the critical connection between water resource recovery facilities and ocean health, recognizing that what happens upstream directly impacts coastal and marine ecosystems. She holds Bachelor's degree in International Business and a Master's degree in Environmental Management.
JENNIFER SACKEYFIO
Development Director | Lift Louisiana
Jennifer is a Gulf Coast-based strategist and fundraiser committed to building power in communities most impacted by environmental racism, climate injustice, and extractive economies. With over a decade of experience advancing racial and reproductive justice, Jennifer brings a deep understanding of how environmental and social issues intersect across the Gulf South.
As a consultant and development professional, she has helped grassroots organizations secure transformative funding and grow toward long-term sustainability. Jennifer is excited to bring that perspective to the work of the Ocean Sewage Alliance and to stand alongside others fighting for a more just and livable region.
LORI 'L.J.' SINSLEY
Head of Communications | All Things Green PR
L.J. Sinsley is a pioneering and award-winning communications and marketing leader focused on spotlighting the need to address the planetary crisis and promoting projects, policies and partnerships to show what works. Her work since 2006 has focused on raising awareness, building brands, and telling climate and nature-based stories to win hearts and minds and drive change.
At Conservation International, she was the Nature Finance Division’s first Communications and Marketing Director. Her work to unlock nature investments at scale included launching a partnership with Silvania and The Nature Conservancy to mobilize billions of dollars of private finance for protecting forests. Previously, she was Everland’s first Communications Director creating storytelling content for carbon projects by Wildlife Works and Wildlife Conservation Society and promoted Julian Marley and Julian Lennon advocating for the need to protect nature. LJ was the California Energy Commission’s first Deputy Executive Director of Strategic Planning & Media, and, before that, Environmental Defense Fund’s California Media Director focused on climate and clean energy.
LJ holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University. She lives in the Bay Area with her family and enjoys traveling, cooking, cycling and being a yogi.
ANN THOMAS
Senior WASH Advisor, Sanitation and Hygiene | UNICEF
Ann Thomas leads UNICEF’s global portfolio on sanitation, hygiene, and WASH in institutional settings, supporting programs in over 100 countries. A passionate advocate for climate-resilient and safely managed WASH systems, she also co-chairs the UN-Water Expert Group on WASH and leads the Climate Resilient Sanitation Coalition, a group that advocates for sanitation as a catalyst for climate action across multiple sectors.
Ann has worked with UNICEF since 2007, with past roles in Indonesia and across East and Southern Africa. Before that, she held positions with Oxfam, PAHO/WHO, IDRC, and the World Bank. A Yale World Fellow and certified life coach, Ann brings both deep technical expertise and a strong focus on human-centered leadership to her work. She’s originally from Canada and currently lives in New York with her family.
AMY ZIMMER-FAUST
Associate Director | The Nature Conservancy
Amy is a water quality scientist by training with over a decade working at the intersection of water quality and human health. Her work focuses on translating science into actionable strategies to inform policy, planning, and investment. She has expertise in tracking pollution sources in coastal environments, developing and testing innovative water quality monitoring methods, and evaluating mitigation solutions.
Amy currently serves as Associate Director of the Oceans Program at The Nature Conservancy California chapter, where she leads the organization’s work on plastics and microplastics. Previously, she was a research scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and she also led the Wastewater program for the The Nature Conservancy’s Pacific Division.
Amy holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering and MS in Environmental Health Sciences, both from UCLA. Outside of work, you'll likely find her on, in, or near the water, exploring and learning, usually with a treat in hand.
